Game Law updated, landowner mountain lion permits authorized

An update to Nebraska’s Game Law that authorizes the state Game and Parks Commission to issue resident landowner limited permits to hunt mountain lions cleared the final round of debate April 9.

LB979, introduced by Plymouth Sen. Tom Brandt, increases fee caps for various hunting and fishing licenses, permits and applications.

The measure also increases motorboat registration fees and allows the commission to establish and collect reasonable fees for providing fish and wildlife education programs.

The bill authorizes the commission to charge an application fee of no more than $9 for turkey permits awarded on the basis of a random drawing. It also increases fee caps for turkey permits and allows the commission to charge fees for the issuance of a preference point.

Additionally, LB979 authorizes the commission to use the Game Law Investigation Cash Fund for vehicles, equipment, digital services and specialized training.

It includes a provision under which a person who possesses, transports, sells, purchases, barters, trades, imports or exports wildlife taken in violation of the Game Law is guilty of a Class I misdemeanor.

The bill also includes provisions of LB1232, sponsored by Sen. Paul Strommen of Sidney. They allow the commission to issue limited permits to hunt mountain lions to qualifying landowners or leaseholders or a member of their immediate family.

Under the measure, an applicant’s qualifying farm or ranch land must be within a designated mountain lion management zone. The number of limited permits in any management unit may not exceed 75% of the regular permits authorized for that unit.

The application fee for the resident landowner limited permit to hunt mountain lions may not exceed one-half the application fee for the regular permit, and the number of applications for each farm or ranch is capped based on certain acreage requirements.

LB979 passed on a vote of 37-10.